Book Review: Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.

Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

It crossed the sea and finally arrived on our shores! I've been hanging out for this book ever since I saw the cover and then heard who the book was about! I haven't been this excited about a book release for quite some time.

I'll just start with the cover - gorgeous, gorgeous and more gorgeous! The whole image just captured my attention and was begging for me to pick it up and find out what was inside.

Now to the actual story.We met Bane before in Elizabeth's first book The Lady of Bolton Hill and he's a character that stays with you for a long time. When I found out that Bane was to be the subject of this book I was so excited.We really get to know Bane in this book. Much of the previous time with Bane was seeing him at his worst. This time around we get to see deeper into what drives him but also his sense of humour. His playfulness with Lydia hides not only his deep affection for her but his need to protect himself and her from the sins of his past that will forever (as far as he's concerned) be chasing him.

Lydia is a great asset to Bane. Not only can she translate what he needs, but she is a dreamer and forever looking at the bright side of a situation. Her determination matches Bane's and together they are a force to be reckoned with. It takes these two a little while to figure out they're meant to be together and then to overcome the obstacles keeping them apart. Overall it's a wonderful journey filled with humour, suspense, romance and drama.

A very enjoyable read and oh my that cover!

Jess' favourite genre is contemporary women's fiction and contemporary romance fiction. She also enjoys historical fiction with a focus on romance. She loves books set in country towns or farms with a cowboy featured in either historical or contemporary settings.

She is currently writing her first novel, a contemporary women's fiction/romance set in a small country town.